A joint announcement has been made by TiVo (News - Alert) Inc., service provider of personal video recorders or PVRs and Technicolor, provider of production, postproduction, and distribution services to content creators and distributors, that an advanced, TiVo-ready, high definition PVR set-top box for operators who license TiVo software will be developed and invested by Technicolor.

TiVo software will be ported to the latest state-of-the-art DSI803 PVR hardware platform of Technicolor. This will help the operators to provide PVRs that are optimized for TiVo's software. Reduced development and integration costs associated with operator deployment, reduced time to market, reduced complexity of implementation will be possible with the integration of TiVo software and Technicolor hardware. This can be leveraged across multiple technology platforms with offerings to operators worldwide. The initiative reported earlier this year between TiVo and Conax will be supported in the initial implementation which will step up deployment of Technicolor set-top-boxes along with TiVo's software for TV operators around the world.

According to Frederic Kurkjian, senior vice president, Satellite and Cable STB Business Unit, Technicolor, operators need to deploy advanced television solutions that are cost efficient and ready for rapid deployment with the convergence of linear television and broadband continuing to take hold. Operators asked Technicolor for help to address this need. The company selected TiVo's comprehensive solution for integrating TV and Internet content through a single user-friendly interface. Technicolor's expertise in manufacturing hardware and the platform porting work along with TiVo understanding the needs of the viewers will be a major advantage for operators looking to jump the competition.

A dual-tuner HD PVR will be featured in the new offering. A minimum of 320GB hard drive capable of recording up to 45 hours of HD or 400 hours of SD programming will also be provided along with broadband connectivity and a touch-sensitive front panel. All European Low Power Code of Conduct requirements will be met by the product which will have all the components housed in an aesthetically designed case customizable by the operator.

Joshua Danovitz, vice president and general manager, TiVo Inc, said the company is thrilled to be working with the world class engineering team at Technicolor on its first preemptive PVR software integration project.